Paris Berelc and Isabel May star as Alexa and Katie, lifelong best friends that share a unique bond. They balance the typical struggles of high school freshmen along with Alexa’s ongoing battle with leukemia. The serious nature of Alexa’s condition couples with the girls’ attempt to go through normal high school life. Grades, boys, friendships—the series touches upon all and are equally as pressing as chemotherapy doctor visits.
Berelc and May are amazing to watch. Both possess deep range as they balance a high intensity with tremendous comedic acting. You won’t be shocked to learn the actresses are close friends in real life; their chemistry shines through with their organic on-screen bond.
Alexa and Katie are best friends and next door neighbors. A treehouse connects their bedroom windows, and allows us to envision an enviable backstory of friendship obviously started in the womb. Both women are great in their respective roles. Isabel May is the breakout star, excelling with some really serious scenes while also as well as being flat out hysterical.
The supporting cast are equally effective in jumping to and from serious to laugh-out-loud. Eddie Shin and Tiffani Thiessen (of “Saved by the Bell” fame) play Alexa’s parents. They have the task of dealing with their daughter’s cancer on an intimate level while also raising their slacker teenage son (Emery Kelly).
My favorite character is Jennifer, Katie’s single mother. She’s played by the adorable Jolie Jenkins, who plays her with the perfect amount of sass. Jennifer has the quick wit and roadside demeanor to lead her family through their own issues. With financial deficiencies a struggle, she still the perfect sitcom neighbor who mooches food and wine. Katie’s younger brother Jack (Finn Carr) adds comic relief as the typical pre-adolescent who torments but still loves his sister. All the characters are funny. This is hard to do for any series, especially considering the dour antics of cancer.
“Alexa & Katie” is the first multi-camera sitcom produced by Netflix; it has the look and feel of any TGIF-styled comedy over the years. Packing 39 episodes into three taut seasons, it manages to do what most comedies don’t. It leaves at a perfect time with just enough fuel left in the tank to leave us wanting more, while still content with its conclusion. You can glide through the series in a weekend. This makes it a perfect binge watch show, and you’ll probably want to watch it again immediately upon its conclusion. April is the month for laughs. In conclusion, I urge you to check out this unheralded gem. Great acting and an abundance of laughs will make it a new fave.
*You can stream “Alexa & Katie” on Netflix now.
